When is hot compost safe?

[desertgirl]

What is the consensus on how long to let compost made with chicken poo rest so that it will be safe/not burn my plants?

 

[patandchickens]

Safe is relative, of course... some plants are much more fond of, or sensitive to, big doses of fresh poo-nitrogen than other plants are.

Except for filling a hole underneath squash or melon seedlings or maybe corn, I would not personally put much manure onto plants til it has sat for 3-4 months. (Though you can sometimes judiciously sidedress *small* amounts of fresh poo, around plants with a good sense of humor about that sort of thing). For more-sensitive plants, or if it was really just A Pile O Poo with not much carbonaceous stuff mixed in, it is really best IMHO to wait at least 6 months if not more.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[patandchickens]

oops, posted to wrong thread

 

[wifezilla]

Are you high altitude? I have noticed stuff breaks down pretty quickly at 5500 ft above sea level.

I am working with duck poo though and it doesn't seem to be as "hot" as chicken poo. Must be all the water they mix in with everything

 

[desertgirl]

We are at high altitude-5300-5500 depending on who you ask. So I could let it sit for a month or so?